Informing the Reformers: Academy Provides 115th Congress With Objective Analysis of Major Public Policy Issues

WASHINGTON-As the 115^th Congress gets to work, the American Academy of Actuaries has provided lawmakers with a Public Policy Toolkit featuring essential background and analysis of several of the major issues identified by congressional leaders as priorities for action, including health care, financial services, retirement security, and other reforms.

“All signs indicate that Congress is eager to consider and act on far-reaching measures affecting the financial security of many Americans, including complex public policy matters that the U.S. actuarial profession has studied extensively through the Academy,” said Academy President Bob Beuerlein. “The Academy consolidated its analysis of major issues into this toolkit to provide legislators with an objective, nonpartisan resource detailing policy considerations and relevant alternatives, informed by actuarial expertise.”

The toolkit describes existing legislative frameworks, and examines policy considerations relevant to possible reforms, related to:

• Health care, including the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, Medicaid, and long-term care financing.
• Retirement and lifetime income, including Social Security.
• Financial services.
• Flood insurance.
• Cyber risk.
• And climate risk.

The toolkit is publicly available at www.actuary.org/files/imce/Public_Policy_Toolkit.pdf.